When do you see a fertility specialist?

Throughout the ages, infertility has been described as: one year trying to conceive without the use of contraception. Many physicians will actually not refer patients to see an infertility clinic or an infertility doctor until that year has passed. I think, that in 2018 a new approach needs to be taken and that there are certain conditions and certain times, when a woman should actually seek help for fertility long before that year is up. These conditions would include women who: have irregular periods; have no periods; have painful periods; are over the age of 38 and have been trying for 4 to 6 months; have concerns about their partner’s fertility; have had a previously sexually transmitted infection; have had previous surgery; have mothers or sisters who went through menopause at a very young age – before the age of 45; or have concerns about their health that might interfere with getting pregnant. If you are suffering from any of these conditions, speak to your physician and talk about your concerns, and ask to see a specialist or a gynecologist to at least put your mind at ease.

Also keep in mind, that women, who are 40 years old and are deciding to start their family now, they should get a referral to get an infertility specialist soon, so that they can be seen within a certain amount of time – a year could be too late. What women don’t always remember is that fertility does have an expiration date and the older they get, the less likely they are to get pregnant. Despite reports in the news of celebrities having babies long into their 40’s, those are often pregnancies that are produced in unnatural ways and you shouldn’t be sucked into thinking that this could happen to you, because after the age of 45, the chances of actually having a natural pregnancy are remote.

If you have any questions, please send them in. I will be doing a series of these articles, and will use your questions, depending on their complexity, as topics for the magazine or for shorter online articles. Next week, I look forward to answering one or two of them. Send your questions to fay.weisberg@firststepsfertilityclinic.com

Author

During the almost 30 years of my gynecological practice, my passion for treating the hormonal changes in women and the effects they have on their quality of life, has only grown. I love being on the cutting-edge of change and helping women fully enjoy all aspects of their lives.
Fay Weisberg MD, FRCSC
Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine; Clinic Director First Steps Fertility; Clinic Director FemRenew; Assistant Professor, University of Toronto Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology